Shawn Mendes' favourite places in LA, Jamaica and Toronto

The 19-year-old, LA-based star - who became the youngest singer to ever nab a number one album - gives us the lowdown on his favourite view, the brunch spot he can't get enough of, and how travel inspires his songwriting

Where in the world inspires your songwriting?

Shawn Mendes

Josiah Van Dien

If I’m in a writing rut, my favourite thing to do is to travel. I get most of my ideas on very busy weeks when I’m travelling through Europe or South America – that's where my inspiration comes from. I just write my ideas down and bring them with me to LA. I write there: that’s where Teddy Guiger who produced the album (Shawn Mendes) is.

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Describe your perfect day in LA

I’d start at King’s Road Café for breakfast. I’m addicted. I would order the breakfast burrito, and the coffee, because the coffee there is like crack. Then I’d have to go for a hike with my friends. I’d go to Runyon Canyon, as classic as that is.

Where can you get the best view of the city?

Shawn Mendes at The Woodshed recording studio, LA

Josiah Van Dien

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I would go back to the studio where I recorded my album, for the view at The Woodshed in Malibu. It has one of my favourite views in the whole world. You’re up on a mountain, and you can see the whole cliff down the Pacific Coast Highway and all the way into the city.

Where else in the world do you find inspiration to record songs?

We recorded this album for three or four months. Most of that was in LA and Malibu, but we were in Jamaica for about 10 days. We stayed at a villa, Cocosan, which is a studio that’s part of Geejam Studios in Port Antonio.

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Describe your perfect day in Jamaica

Shawn Mendes at the beach

Josiah Van Dien

It’s very hard to get any work done in Jamaica. It's way too relaxed. There was a stunning view outside the villa where we stayed, right by the beach. A step outside would turn into three hours outside. My perfect day in Port Antonio would just be drinking rum on the sand.

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What's the best way to staycation in Canada, where you grew up?

Go to Vancouver, with some friends, and rent a boat. All you need is a driving licence, and you can rent a boat for 75 bucks. Take it out to the Indian River. There are all these waterfalls, and you can climb them. Depending on the time of year, there are hundreds of jelly fish and the water is so fresh.

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And the dish a visitor shouldn’t leave without trying?

Poutine

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I guess you would have to try poutine but that’s kind of a cop out for me to say that. Other than Poutine there’s not much that Canadians do that the rest of the world don’t. We’re a really young country so pretty much everything we do is basically copying the rest of the world in terms of food. Poutine is basically fries and gravy and cheese curds. You could make it in London if you like.

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Ocean or swimming pool?

Pool. Because I’m terrified of sharks.

Your favourite city in the world?

Amsterdam. It’s very magical. I think if wizards existed they’d be in Amsterdam. The people are really fun, and it’s not rowdy but it’s always exciting. There are always things happening and people biking past you. All the canals and the bridges – it’s just like a dream world.

Your favourite beach in the world?

Bondi Beach. Or the beach in Port Antonio, Jamaica.

Where would you take your mum on a holiday?

Jamaica really stuck with me. I’d take my mom back there, because she loves hot weather.

Home or on the road?

I am addicted to the road. As much as I love home, I’m there for five days and then I can’t wait to get away again.

Shawn Mendes album artwork

Shawn Mendes' self-titled album is out 25 May 2018. Pre-order it here.